Hairpin spreader



E. BYRON HAIR PIN SPREADER Filed Aug. so, 1944' Patented Aug. 20, 1946 UNIT T res N OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for spreading hair pins and has for its primary object the provision of an implement which may be utilized in effecting initial separation of the side members of a hair pin of the normally closed type, commonly known as a bobbie pin, preparatory to its application to the hair. I

A particular object of the invention is to provide a hair pin spreader embodying a wedge astride of which the side members of the pin may be advanced so as to effect spreading of the pin and to also provide a construction whereby the wedge element may be supported on a finger in a manner to facilitate positioning of the hair pin thereon and its removal therefrom, thus lessening the time and trouble heretofore required to manually spread the pin.

With the foregoing objects in View, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hair pin spreader depicting one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the invention in effecting spreading of a hair pin;

Fig. 3 is a detail in section of a fragmentary portion of the hair pin spreader showing the manner of positioning a hair pin thereon;

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of a hair pin spreader showing another form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 4 depicting it as mounted on a finger.

Referring to the drawing more specifically, particular reference now being had to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A indicates generally a hair pin spreading element which comprises a wedge embodying upper and lower diverging faces 6 and 1 leading from a knife-like edge 8 and which is adapted to be inserted lengthwise between the side members 9 and IU of a hair pin B as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The pin spreading element A is a part of an annulus ll carried on a ring l2 which latter is adapted to be positioned on a finger C preferably on the tip portion thereof as shown in Fig. 2. The annulus H is shown as disposed with its axis extending in perpendicular relation to the axis of the finger ring l2 so that the annulus ll opens at right angles to the opening of the ring IZ. This arrangement, however, is arbitrary since the annulus and ring may be disposed in any desired position relative to each other and which will be readily understood and is not neces sary to be here shown.

In the operation ofthe invention as above described the finger ring I2 is placed on the finger tip as shown for example in Fig. 2-whereupon the free ends of the side members 9 and ID of the pin B are presented to the tip 8 of the spreader element A whereupon the pin B and element A are advanced relatively to each other whereby the latter will function to effect a spreading action on the side members of the pin. This operation is illustrated in Fig. 3 in which the mode of initially positioning the pin on the spreader element A is indicated in dotted lines and the spread pin shown in full lines.

The pin will then be held in place on the spreader A under tension of the pin. The operator may now grasp the pin between the finger and thumb of the free hand in such fashion that the flesh of the grasping finger will be interposed between the side members 9 and It! of the pin contiguous the edge 8 of the spreader A so that the pin may be withdrawn from engagement with the spreader lengthwise thereof and the latter retained in its partially spread or possibly its fully spread position by the fingers to thereafter be manipulated into engagement with the lock of hair to which the pin is to be applied.

The spreader A is formed integral with the annulus H with the diverging faces 6 and 1 leading from one edge of the annulus through out the major portion of the perimeter of the annulus whereby the edge 8 has an arcuate contour and the outer face 6 diverges from the edge 8 in the form of a segment of a truncated cone. By this arrangement the side members of the hair pin may be applied at various points around the periphery of the annulus between the portion thereof abutting the finger ring H2.

The annulus ll may be afiixed to the ring l2 in any suitable manner, as by cementing, soldering or spot welding, or the annulus and ring may be formed integral.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the wedge-shaped spreader is indicated at D and as having diverging faces l4 and I5 leading from a knife-like edge I6. The spreader D is supported on a stem I! connected to one side thereof which stem leads to and is formed in continuation of a split ring l8 adapted to be engaged on a finger tip F as shown in Fig.

5. The construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is operated in the same fashion as explained with reference to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 except that by this arrangement the spreader D may be Withdrawn laterally out of engagement with the side members [9 and 20 of a pin indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The ring l8 may be formed of wire stock and the spreader D attached to the stem I1 by inserting the outer end of the latter in a bore in the spreader and securing the parts together in conventional fashion.

Any suitable material may be employed in making the device, such as metal, plastic, and the like, and any suitable mode of forming and assembling the structure may be utilized as may be expedient.

I claim:

1. A spreader for hair pins of the normally closed type comprising a wedge-shaped spreader element adapted to be introduced between the side members of a hair pin to spread the latter, a split finger ring, and an extension of said ring at'one side of its split carrying said spreader element in outwardly and laterally ofiset spaced relation to the ring.

2. A spreader for hair pins of the normally closed type comprising a wedge-shaped spreader element adapted to be introduced between the side members of a hair pin to spread the latter, a finger ring, and a stem afiixed to said ring and to said spreader element connecting with one side only of the latter and supporting the spreader element in spaced relation to said ring with the other side of the spreader element free to afford lateral application and removal of the hair pin.

3. A spreader for hair pins of the normally closed type comprising a wedge-shaped spreader element adapted to be introduced between side members of a hair pin to spread the latter, a finger ring, and a stem aflixed to said ring and to one side only of said spreader element and supporting the spreader element in spaced rela tion to said ring with the opposite side of said element unobstructed to aiTord lateral removal of the hair pin, said ring being split and said stern consisting of an outwardly projecting end portion of the ring at one side of its split. 7

4:. The subject matter of claim 3, and said stem being directed radially out from the ring and bent at its outer end so that the spreader element is laterally offset from said stem.

EVE'BYRO'N. 

